Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Penn State Football: Top 10 players in program history

By Zac Voynow

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walks on the field during the first half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walks on the field during the first half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 11
Next
31 Oct 1998: Linebacker La Var Arrington #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in action during the game against the Illinois Illini at the Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. The Nittany Lions defeated the Illini 27-0.
31 Oct 1998: Linebacker La Var Arrington #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in action during the game against the Illinois Illini at the Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. The Nittany Lions defeated the Illini 27-0. /

7. LaVar Arrington, Linebacker

LaVar “Leap” Arrington played for Penn State from 1997-99 and was one of the most exciting players in Penn State history. He was an All-American twice during his four year career at Penn State. He also won the Butkus Award and the Bednarik Award.

In 1998, Arrington became the first sophomore to ever win the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Award. The following season, he earned his first All-American title by recording 72 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and nine sacks. He earned his nickname “Leap” during a game in 1998 versus Illinois, when he literally leaped over the entire Illinois offensive line to blow up a rushing play in the backfield.

Arrington followed defensive teammate Courtney Brown in the 1999 draft. He was selected second overall after Brown was selected first overall. Arrington had a great, but relatively brief, NFL career. He played seven seasons in the NFL, earning three Pro Bowl selections and three All-Pro selections.

After signing a massive deal with the New York Giants, Arrington ruptured his Achilles tendon and would decide to leave the game of football in favor of his health.

Home/Penn State Nittany Lions